replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə 

1

: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist

a replica of this was painted … this year

—Constance Strachey

2

: a copy exact in all details

DNA makes a replica of itself

sailed a replica of the Viking ship

broadly : copy

this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb

—G. F. Kennan

Synonyms

• image
• twin
• clone
• picture
• duplicate
• portrait
• counterpart

Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship.

It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1961, as Cuban exiles fled communism to enter the United States, a replica was brought with them, smuggled through the Panamanian embassy, according to the history on the shrine’s website. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

Just as a developer is trying to move ahead with plans to raze the historic Excelsior Club in west Charlotte, then rebuild a near replica, a local museum CEO is trying to make the case for saving the structure. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

Key pieces include the Ellwood Shearling Coat, a reworked replica of a coat originally sketched by Aberg for that very first show in 2000, now presented in a cleaner, minimalist silhouette. —Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Creator @tinalemac shared her step-by-step process for transforming a plain IKEA mirror into a high-end replica using nothing more than tin foil and air-dry clay. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə 

1

: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original

2

: a copy exact in all details : duplicate